Hold ‘Em High

One of my favorite accounts in the Bible details a battle that occurred between the Israelis and another tribe. Moses stood at the top of a hill watching and praying. As long as his hands were held high in the air, the Israelis were winning; but whenever he would lower them, the other tribe began to defeat them. So, the two guys who were on the hill with Moses pulled up a rock for him to sit on. Then they stood, one on each side of Moses, and held his hands up for him and the Israelis won the war.

One of the things I really love about this account is how it resonates so deeply with me. When it comes to my marriage and my kids I am a fierce protector. You can mess with me all you want, but don’t mess with my man or my kiddos. Raising kids to know and love the Lord is hard work, and there are no guarantees that your hard work is going to pay off with the results you hope, wish and pray for. And yet, I pray nonetheless.

I pray. I teach. I learn so that I can teach. I love. Day or night, waking or sleeping my proverbial arms are raised to the heavens pouring my heart out to God on behalf of my kids, my husband, and our little family. And I’ll let you in on a little secret:

My arms get tired.

Every now and then I need one or two folks who really get it, who understand the strain a mother’s heart undertakes when she places her children’s lives into the ever capable hands of the One who created them. Oh how He is trustworthy. And faithful. And good. And oh how human I am; how I worry and stress and wear down.

I need you, dear sisters, to come alongside and hold my hands up for awhile. And I’ll come along and hold your’s up, too. Homeschool, public school, private, un-school…mega-church, country church, home church, pub church…large family, small family, mixed family…lets hold each other up. Let’s help each other walk in victory when our spirits are oh-so-willing but our bodies oh-so-weak.

Photo by winjohn

I want to encourage you to take a look around your life; your church; your neighborhood. Whose hands can you hold up today?

Are you standing on top of that proverbial hill, watching the battle over your kids’ lives and hearts and your arms are shaking, muscles failing, and you need someone to come? Don’t be afraid to ask! Chances are, she needs it, too.

Rest firmly on the Rock – Jesus. Join hands and raise ‘em high together. For we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us so dearly.